Re: Free software, proprietary software and Stalin

[Atul Chitnis <achitnis@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hmmmmm....

I do not see this argument going anywhere. The problem is that everyone
involved in the discussion is firmly entrenched with their positions and
understanding/interpretation.

The fact is that GPL and BSD have been around for a while, and they each
were created for a particular purpose, to address a particular situation.

It is entirely possible that with the changes that take place on an almost
everyday basis, both GPL and BSD are not 100% with it anymore, and need to
adapt to address some market realities. 

Reminds me of the fish-cutting problem - it used to be bad manners to cut
fish with a knife when sitting at a table - you were supposed to use two
forks. It was a rule that had historical background, but was outright
silly and completely non-practical in the 20th century. To work around it,
people introduced the concept of "fish knives". Today, you can cut a fish
any which way you want - you can use your toothpicks if you want.

One thing I can guarantee you - if everyone in the GPL/BSD camps refuses
to adapt, and continue to stick to absolutes, both are going to start
offending enough people to make them non-feasible.

If nothing else changes - at leats the people should have the courage to
say "we agree to diagree". Discussions that end up in bloody noses on a
mailing list are not going to change the end result. 

I'd rather like to see people discussing a "best of" kind of solution -
one that takes the best features of each, and helps the creation of a
universally acceptable solution.

How about it? A theoretical "Linux India General Licence"?

Atul

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Atul Chitnis       | achitnis@xxxxxxxxxxx (PGP:6011BCB8)
Exocore Consulting | http://www.exocore.com
Bangalore, India   | +91(80)3440397 Fax +91(80)3341137
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